Aviasales might be the perfect fit for you if you’re looking to fly somewhere in the next few months but don’t want to spend a fortune to do it. While this ultra-low-cost carrier does not offer free or discounted seats, you can still find plenty of deals on flights if you know how to search for them.
This article will cover the best ways to save money when booking your flights and how to get the most out of your travel experience once you arrive at your destination. Haiti is prominently known for several beautiful places to visit and things to do. We have put together this ultimate guide to the top tourist attractions in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to help make your trip enjoyable. Here is a list of the top tourist attractions in Haiti.
Fort Jacques
Fort Jacques was built in 1670 and is one of several forts constructed along Port-au-Prince’s coastline. It sits on a hill overlooking a popular beach, and many tourists come to walk around it. The fort was originally named Fort de la Reine after Queen Anne of Austria but has since been renamed its current name. Its appearance remains largely unchanged from when it was built in 1670, except that its original cannons have been replaced with fakes to avoid erosion and structural damage caused by tourists climbing over them. The fort has become Haiti’s juncture due to its historical values and vogue among locals and tourists worldwide.
Cathedrale Notre Dame d’Haiti
The Cathedral Notre Dame d’Haiti (Cathedral of Our Lady of Haiti) is a church in downtown Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Its construction was begun in 1805 and was completed in 1877. A fire in 1955 destroyed much of its interior decoration. The church was later restored. The statue on top of its dome depicts Virgin Mary as Our Lady of La Altagracia de Santa Maria de la Antigua del Oriente (Our Lady Of The Immaculate Conception). Patroness of Cuba was considered a territory under French control then (France did not sell or cede control to another power until 1862). Another story goes that when enslaved people would arrive off boats after months at sea, they would immediately beg for a horse.
Maison des Esclaves
Maison des Esclaves, also known as The House of Slaves, was formerly owned by a prominent French merchant and served as a holding point for enslaved people en route to America. The structure is now a museum memorializing one of Port-au-Prince’s dimmest eras. It includes an underground exhibit with shackles used to restrain enslaved people. Visiting Maison des Esclaves is particularly moving because it was built on an active cemetery. If you go at night, you’ll be able to see headstones glowing in the darkness-an eerie sight that will send chills down your spine. You can hear women wailing in Haitian Kreyol as they mourn their loved ones buried beneath your feet.
Musee du Pantheon National Haitien
Haitians built Musee du Pantheon National Haitien in 1805 as a mausoleum for Henri Christophe, who served as president of Saint-Domingue under Toussaint Louverture. However, after he died in 1820, Christophe was buried inside it only briefly before being disinterred and moved to a cemetery, where he has remained ever since. Instead, Francois-Dominique Toussaint Louverture’s remains were interred in the Pantheon shortly after his death on April 7th, 1803 (being imprisoned by Napoleon Bonaparte). Since then, numerous other Haitian heroes have been buried here, including General Jean-Jacques Dessalines and Alexandre Petition.
Tombeau Du General Leclerc
Tombeau Du General Leclerc is a short drive from Port-au-Prince, where one can visit one of General Leclerc’s homes. Built by enslaved African laborers and finished in 1784, it symbolized wealth for the colonial-era elite. Surrounded by lush greenery and fragrant flowers, Tombeau has served as inspiration for Alexandre Dumas (author of The Count of Monte Cristo). The gardens are well maintained; many say they look better than their Parisian counterparts.
Citadelle Laferriere
Citadelle Laferriere was established in 1687 and is one of Haiti’s most remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It’s an enormous fortress whose name translates to the rock that resists. It was built to protect against attacks from European powers, but it also gives visitors a look into a fascinating period of Haitian history. This complex structure has functioned as many things over time. A prison, a defensive fortification, and home to generations of French military leaders.
Zona Colonial
Many people don’t know two cities within modern-day Port-au-Prince. Downtown is where most of what you consider true tourist attractions are located. The newer city is called Petionville and is situated on a wide strip of land directly east of downtown and overlooking a beautiful bay. This area is home to many wealthy Haitians who live primarily in gated communities.
Pic Macaya National Park
There are so many reasons you should visit Parc National Macaya; some even say it is among one of the most breathtaking destinations in all of America. If you like hiking and camping, there is no better place than Parc National Macaya. Parc National Pic Macaya is located a little more than an hour from Port-au-Prince and is home to one of Haiti’s most beautiful waterfalls. The Macaya National Park offers visitors picturesque views of one of its many waterfalls. Visitors can also camp overnight near them. The park also houses two lagoons and several natural hot springs, so there are plenty of places to stay beyond camping (for those who aren’t so comfortable with that idea).
Peition-Ville
Peition-Ville in Port-au-Prince is often referred to as Haiti’s Little Paris. Peition-Ville was founded by a well-known Haitian businessman Vincent Peition, who named it after himself. He started with a tobacco factory and grew his empire from there. Today, we have 19th-century architecture that’s now home to some of Haiti’s most important landmarks National Palace (Peitionville), Central Bank of Haiti (Peitionville), and Cathedral Notre Dame D’Haiti (Belle Vie).
Route de la Trace
Make sure you stop at Route de la Trace to look at some of Haiti’s largest buildings. This major street and shopping center is in downtown Port-au-Prince and has a variety of shops with many European goods on sale. If you have time to kill, visit Auberge Espagnole, which has cool antique items for sale and is quite popular among locals. There are several malls throughout Old Town that offer an array of clothing options as well as stores selling leather shoes. Be sure to pick up a nice pair while you’re here. The nearby Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1883 and 1931. It’s worth seeing while visiting Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Basilica Notre Dame de la Paix
As you enter from any direction into Port-au-Prince, you can’t miss seeing a massive concrete structure with two towering spires. The basilica was built on orders of Pope John Paul II after a devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti in 2010, killing hundreds of thousands and leaving 1.5 million homeless. It’s not just a Catholic place of worship. It is an architectural wonder and has become an important cultural touchstone for locals and foreigners. You might even see weddings taking place under its arches or hear hip Haitian bands playing jazz inside on weekends.
Catacombes de Sainte-Croix
Catacombes de Sainte-Croix is a fascinating and macabre experience, but not for those with claustrophobia. It is said that people suffering from leprosy were buried here and those killed by lightning strikes. Many of these bodies are still wrapped in their funeral shrouds. All told, about 10 miles worth of tunnels to explore beneath the town. The catacombs have been around since 1789 and housed a small shrine to St.Croix on one end. However, it was closed after numerous pilgrims’ theft left it empty sometime in the 19th century. Today it remains open to visitors and is one of Port-au-Prince’s most popular attractions.
Musee d’Art Haitien (Museum of Haitian Art)
Musee d’Art Haitien, also known as the Museum of Haitian Art, is a museum in Port-au-Prince. It houses a collection of fine art and historical objects that Haitians created. The museum exhibits Haitian craftwork and design, including handwoven fabric, local paintings, and sculptures.
Marche en Fer or Marche de Fer
Marche de Fer, also known as the Iron Market and formerly the Marchei des Griots, is a colorful open-air market that has been operating for over 200 years. Marchei de Fer (Iron Market), formerly the Marchese des Griots. This is a very colorful open-air market that has been operating for over 200 years. Marchei de Fer (Iron Market), formerly the Marchei des Griots, is a colorful open-air market that has been operating for over 200 years. It is known for its wide variety of arts and crafts and souvenirs, including drums, sculptures, paintings, and shirts with Haiti’s Flag. There are also rows of food stalls offering local treats and traditional international cuisine. The market is open weekly, and business hours are from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Place Saint-Pierre
Place Saint-Pierre is the first stop on a sightseeing tour of Haiti should be at Place St Pierre. They were later replaced by administrative buildings destroyed during a rebellion in 1804. Today Place St Pierre is a tranquil and picturesque public square where locals walk their dogs and relax as they gaze out over Port-au-Prince bay. This is also one of the best places to experience Haitian art as talented street performers regularly hold concerts to entertain crowds. Now that you know about these great Haiti destinations, it’s time to book your flight ticket. Although most of us would love to think we can walk into a store and buy a ticket, it’s not reality. There are too many factors involved in booking a flight.
Martin Wynn
